THE SIMPSONS RENEWED FOR 27TH AND 28TH SEASONS

FOX has renewed THE SIMPSONS for unprecedented 27^th and 28^th seasons, which will take the series to 625 episodes. The series airs in India on Star World, 8pm every Monday to Friday and Star World Premiere, Every Monday, at 8.30pm.

“I've outlasted Letterman, Jon Stewart and ‘McDreamy,’ because I have something they don’t: a costly 200-donut-a-day addiction,” said Homer Simpson.

The longest-running scripted show in television history, THE SIMPSONS exploded into a cultural phenomenon in 1990 and has remained one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world. Currently airing its record-annihilating 26^th season, THE SIMPSONS has won 31 Emmy Awards, 31 Annie Awards, a 2015 People's Choice Award, was the first animated series to win a Peabody Award and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2012 for the theatrical short “The Longest Daycare.”  “The Simpsons Movie” was a hit feature film, the mega-attraction The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios has received historic expansion updates with the addition of “Springfield” and the show was honored with a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000. It has been named the “Best Show of the 20^th Century” by Time magazine, and called the “Greatest American Sitcom” by Entertainment Weekly in 2013.

This season, THE SIMPSONS is averaging a 2.7/8 among Adults 18-49 – steady year-over-year in the core demo and Total Viewers (6.0 Mil).  Over 30 days, THE SIMPSONS delivers an average audience of 7.7 million across platforms, +45% higher than its Live + Same Day total audience (7.7 vs. 5.3 Mil).  In fact, even in its 26^th season, the series ranks as one of the Top 10 shows overall on broadcast television among Men 18-34 and Male Teens and ranks among the Top 20 in Adults 18-34, Men 18-49 and Men 25-54. 

THE SIMPSONS is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20^th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening and Al Jean are the executive producers. The Gracie Films Worldwide Brand Division develops and produces the licensed content for the series. Film Roman, a Starz company, is the animation house.

Kareena Kapoor Khan offered a whopping sum to interact with her fans in UAE !

Begum of Bollywood, Kareena Kapoor Khan, continues to remain amongst the most-sought after names in the brand world, proof of which is the fact that the actress was offered a whopping 7 crores to travel to Dubai,Qatar ,Abu Dhabi ,Bahrain and Oman to interact with her fans for a brand commitment.

Sources reveal that the actress will be doing a 7-city UAE tour where she will meet her fans, for which she was offered a hefty sum by a jewelry brand on popular demand. 

While the star has already visited Dubai,Qatar and Abu Dhabi where over 40,000 men showed up to catch a glimpse of their favorite actress ,she will soon travel to Bahrain and Oman –Confirming the news said Kareena’s spokesperson, “Yes, Kareena is traveling around the UAE to meet her fans.”

Eros International and Anushka Motion Pictures come together for Kedhar Shinde’s Aga Bai Arechaa 2

Eros International Media Ltd ("Eros International"), a leading global company in the Indian film entertainment industry announced its association with Anushka Motion Pictures and Entertainment to present Aga Bai Arecha 2

After being successfully associated with Marathi Films like Me Shivaji Raje Bhosale Boltoy, Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho, Eros International will now bring to audiences the Sequel of the popular Marathi comedy, Aga Bai Arecha starring Sonali Kulkarni, Bharat Jadhav, Prasad Oak, Dharam Gohil, Surabhi Hande and Madhav Devchakke.

Kedhar’s mass appealing films such as Aga Bai Arecha, Yanda Kartavya Aahe, Jatra, Majha Navra Tujhi Baiko has wowed the audiences and this association with Eros International will take the franchise a notch higher.

Commenting on the association, Mr Sunil Lulla, Managing Director, Eros International Media Limited said “We are happy to be associated with a very talented director Kedhar Shinde who delivers quality Marathi entertainment. At Eros we feel proud to back regional cinema which are content driven and high on entertainment quotient, it also fullfills our vision to expand in the regional market”.

Producer Mr Narendra Firodia added, “We are delighted to partner with Eros International, this association will help us in reach out to a larger audience through their established distribution network.”

Director Mr Kedhar Shinde said, “I am very excited about Aga Bai Arecha and thrilled that Eros will be making the journey with me”.

The release is slated for 22^nd May 2015.

MARK KNOPFLER’S `TRACKER’ IS HIS FASTEST SELLING `SOLO’ ALBUM IN INDIA!

Universal Music celebrates the success of `Tracker’ at The Irish House, Kala Ghoda, tonight with `Live’ band, contests, concerts & more!

“SKYDIVER” is the new single and follow-up to album lead track “Beryl”

Mark Knopfler’s acclaimed new album ‘Tracker’ features 11 new songs is inspired by a wide range of subjects including Beryl Bainbridge and Basil Bunting. The songs contain Mark’s usual wryly but accurately observed vignettes of real life wrapped up in a musical accompaniment of distinctive subtlety. The follow-up single to “Beryl” is “Skydiver” - a rolling groove, is a paean to a certain type of artist, who lives a life of reckless abandon, or, as author Richard Ford describes it, a ‘rollicking, race-course-vagabond song’.

Immediately on release, the album peaked at #3 on the iTunes India chart and is one of the highest selling International albums on Amazon India. To honor the stalwart, leading label Universal Music will pay tribute to the Dire Straits sensation Mark Knopfler at The Irish House, KalaGhoda today, 30th April’15. The evening will see India’s best classic rock covers band ‘One Night Stand’ performing to some of Mark Knopfler’s much loved chartbusters of the 80’s and 90’s. Join in and reminisce some good old Dire Strait hits as we celebrate the success of the rock titan’s latest album ‘Tracker’.

Says Mark on the new single: “‘Skydiver’ is about that period when I was a teenager and being introduced to all that stuff….the Beatles and everything else.  It’s about the artist type of guy, an amalgamation of a bunch of different artists…One of the things that comes up in a lot of my songs is gambling.  I don’t know why, because I don’t (gamble).  It’s a transgression of sorts, which interests me.  I will always be interested in people who are compelled to do things.  That is one of the most regular elements in what I’m writing about.”

‘Skydiver’ was written by Mark Knopfler, produced by Knopfler and Guy Fletcher and was recorded at British Grove Studios in London.  The song features Mark Knopfler on guitars and lead vocals, Guy Fletcher on keyboards and bass, and Ian Thomas on drums and washboard; they are joined by singer Ruth Moody (from The Wailin’ Jennys), who adds sumptuous harmonies to the chorus.

Commenting on the album’s success here, Sunil D’Sa - Vice President, Marketing, Universal Music India says, “‘Tracker’ is definitely Mark’s best solo work yet! Besides his signature vocal style, the album includes some great guitar riffs and melodies reminisce of Dire Straits we’ve all grown up on. And it’s no surprise that his legion of fans here are lapping up `Tracker’ making it one of his fastest selling `solo’ albums in India. The album has peaked at a phenomenal #3 on the iTunes India `overall’ albums chart – a chart dominated by Bollywood soundtracks besides it’s been one of the highest selling International albums on Amazon India since it’s release. To celebrate this success, we’ve lined up a night dedicated to the legend and his new album….so head to The Irish House tonight and have a great time with `live’ band - One Night Stand - as they pay tribute to the original Sultan of Swing!”.

The album is available on both physical and digital formats Exclusively on Universal Music.

About Universal Music India:

Universal Music India Pvt. Ltd. (UMIPL) is a 100% subsidiary of the Universal Music Group (UMG) and is home to record labels such as A&M Records, Blue Note Records, Capitol Records, Capitol Records Nashville, Caroline, Decca, Def Jam Recordings, Deutsche Grammophon, Emarcy, Geffen Records, Interscope Records, Island Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville, Mercury Records, Motown Records, Polydor Records, Republic Records, Universal Music Latino, Verve Music Group, Virgin Records, Virgin EMI Records.

UMIPL has an extremely rich Indian catalogue comprising songs from classic Hindi and Regional Films, IndiPop, Bhangra, Ghazals and Devotional. It’s enviable catalogue includes artistes such as Asha Bhosle, Anup Jalota, Bombay Vikings, Jagjit Singh, JoSh, Malkit Singh, Pankaj Udhas, Panjabi MC, Raghav, Mohit Chouhan, Euphoria, Adnan Sami, Rabbi Shergill, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan to name a few. UMIPL `film’ catalogue (the 2nd largest in India) spans music from blockbusters such as Sholay, Qurbani, Amar Akbar Anthony, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Devdas and Munnabhai MBBS amongst the numerous jewels which symbolize the musical journey from the 70’s to date. On the International music front, UMIPL are the clear market leaders with artistes such as ABBA, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Enrique Iglesias, Eminem, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, The Beatles, UB40, Deep Purple, Enigma, Norah Jones, Deadmau5, The Chemical Brothers, amongst host of others, popular music icons and household names in India.

MARK KNOPFLER ‘TRACKER’ – WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

‘An album threaded with themes of transience and ruminations on time and memory, it’s richly melodic, lyrically involving and boasts an unhurried elegance and quiet intensity which elevates it to the ranks of Knopfler’s most affecting work.’ 8/10  Uncut April ‘15

‘…Knopfler ages like fine wine….a joy.’  The Sun 13 March ‘15

‘…embraces kitchen sink dramas on this typically stellar six string selection.’

Daily Star 13 March ‘15

‘…recalls Dire Straits in the Sultans Of Swing era…poignant…’

The Times 13 March ‘15

‘…leaves a particularly strong emotional aftertaste…Fans will find much to enjoy here…’

Daily Telegraph 14 March ‘15

‘…music that flows with graceful ease: emotion recollected in tranquility, in Wordsworth’s phrase… The music shimmers with reflections of Celtic folk and blues, illuminated by Knopfler’s deft guitar playing.’ 4*  Financial Times 14 March ‘15

‘…Knopfler’s music remains a reliable source of warm bluesy guitar work.’

The Observer 15 March ‘15

‘…vivid vignettes…as sensuously irresistible as it sounds.’ 4*

Sunday Express 15 March ‘15

‘…the wry economy of short stories, while Knopfler’s music stays as unfussily erudite as ever.’ 4*  Mail On Sunday 15 March ‘15

‘…his sparsely deployed guitar artistry gleams throughout.’  Classic Rock April ‘15

‘Masterly songcraft from one of our finest players…the songcraft has weathered beautifully on this almost literary series of song portraits… Knopfler’s touch on guitar is sparse but powerfully eloquent…’ 4.5*  Guitarist April ‘15

‘…Celty-folk musical tone…his storytelling sharpens…every song….Grace notes for sure.’  Mojo April ‘15

‘Mark Knopfler at his most personal…can still make the guitar sing without airs and graces.’ 7/10  Drownedinsound 16 March ‘15

‘…a joy to listen to…His character tales remain as captivating as ever, while his signature electric guitar fills are a significant part of what makes (the) songs…work so well. It is this ability to keep on adding new layers to his already multi-faceted sound that confirms Knopfler’s continuing brilliance.’

MusicOMH 12 March ‘15

Siddhanth Kapoor meets with an accident on the sets of Bombairiya

Film sets often turn out to be much more accident prone then most would assume. One such incident occurred on the 5th day of shoot on the sets of Bombairiya. Siddhanth Kapoor who was recently seen in the critically acclaimed film Ugly is part of an eclectic star cast which includes Radhika Apte, Akshay Oberoi, Shilpa Shukla and Ravi Kishan. The young actor took a tumble and hurt himself on set.

Siddhanth’s character will be seen in the film riding a Pink Scooter.  The actor was going for a shot where the courier boy he plays has to escape at speed. He managed a stunt on day two of shoot and wanted to give it another go.  This time some loose concrete made the bike slide and part company with the actor.

Director Pia Sukanya thought she would have to call it a day but Siddhanth applied an ice pack to the rapidly swelling knee and being the true professional he is went on to do a running sequence and complete his scenes literally saving the day for the makers.

A surprisingly positive Siddhanth said, “I am really picky about the projects that I sign but the ones I do sign I have complete faith in and will do all within my power to make the project a success.  Accidents happen on sets all the time but I don’t want the schedule to go to waste if it is in my power to go on. The scooter is an extension of my character in the film and this accident has actually managed to forge a real relationship between me and my ride.”

“I was scared out of my wits when I saw the accident happen. It was weird how Siddhanth was actually pacifying and telling me that he will be alright when I should have been doing that for him. His energy and dedication is such an asset to the film.” Said the director Pia.

Indian born British producer Michael Ward was also impressed with the actor’s commitment. " Sid fell heavily and we were all initially very concerned about him while he was busy worrying about the schedule going to waste. He has proved to be a real trooper and his passion for the role is clear to see. Thankfully we have two days break coming up when he can rest the leg."